Janković, whom the Corruption Prevention Commission accused of violations of anti-graft legislation in early January, submitted the blank resignation letter to the PS council on 21 February to make way for the formation of a new government.

The move came after several potential coalition partners demanded his resignation before starting talks with PS interim head Bratušek.

In the aftermath of the corruption report, which also incriminated outgoing PM Janez Janša and caused his government to collapse, Janković initially only "froze" his status as the party president.

Today, as Bratušek's team is about to get the green light from the National Assembly, Janković filled in the date of the signed resignation letter, meaning that he officially resigned as the party head.

PS MP Maša Kociper said she hoped Janković will stay a PS member. It is also not clear whether he plans to run for the top post in the party again, being its founder.

The PS will hold its election congress before the general election, "whenever it will be held", and until then the party is led by Bratušek, Kociper said.

The coalition partners meanwhile expect Janković, who also holds the post of Ljubljana mayor, not to run for PS head during the new government's term.

The head of the Pensioners' Party (DeSUS), Karl Erjavec, warned that Bratušek would "quickly get into trouble" if she would not lead the government independently.

Rihard Braniselj, the deputy group leader of the Citizens' List (DL), said everything would be settled the way it should be among trustworthy coalition partners.

SocDem MP Matjaž Han refused to comment on Janković's status. He merely expressed hope that Bratušek will be successful in making concessions in the new government.